Alabama

WhistleStop 2017: your guide to Huntsville barbecue festival

If your automobile boasted a functioning radio during the early-90s, you’re well acquainted with Gin Blossoms’ jangly, melodic rock. The Tempe, Arizona band scored a trio of Byrds-like hits, all featuring the word “you” in the title: “Follow You Down,” “Til I Hear It About You” and “Found Out About You.” However, Gin Blossoms’ most enduring smash, “Hey Jealousy,” benefited from crunchier guitars that gelled well with the era’s alternative-music playlists.

Flash forward to 2017. Gin Blossoms will headline WhistleStop Weekend’s Friday music lineup with a 9:45 p.m. performance on the CB&S Stage. The 17th annual barbecue festival is set for Friday and Saturday at the Historic Huntsville Depot, address 320 Church St. N.W. Here’s a look at more WhistleStop 2017 performers, followed by other key festival details. By Matt Wake

Photo: Shutterbug459 via Wikimedia Commons

10272735_825785120784808_7451372967491535002_o.jpg

Fender Bender 5:30 p.m. Friday CB&S Stage

Huntsville classic-rock trio performs covers by artists like Tom Petty, The Guess Who and Joe Walsh.

Photo: facebook.com/fenderbenderAl

Brad & Clint 6:30 p.m. Friday CB&S Stage

Local acoustic duo draws from the catalogs of Allman Brothers, Johnny Cash and other acts.

Los Angeles-founded pop-rock duo The Rembrandts scored a big hit in 1990 with the tuneful “Just The Way It Is, Baby.” The Grammy-nominated group also did “I'll Be There For You,” the theme song for some obscure TV show called “Friends.”